Crystal water ball device

Abstract

A crystal water ball device comprising a combination of a globe and a housing supported, via a securely mounted support plate, over a base frame. A lower cup is rotatably supported on the base frame in a frictional manner and is prevented from an upward movement relative to the base frame. A transmission mechanism is provided for driving the lower cup to rotate.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A crystal water ball device comprising: a combination of a globe and a housing;   a base frame having a plurality of protrusions;   a support plate interposed between the plurality of protrusions of the base frame and the combination of globe and housing, the support plate carrying the combination of globe and housing thereon;   a lower cup rotatably supported on the base frame and having an annular bearing surface formed thereon, the annular bearing surface slidably contacting the base frame;   a plurality of fasteners each corresponding to one of the protrusions, the fasteners extending through the support plate and threadingly engaging into a corresponding protrusion to such an extent that a top head of the fastener is substantially below a top face of the support plate;   means for preventing the lower cup from an upward movement relative to the base frame; and   a transmission mechanism for driving the lower cup to rotate.   
     
     
       2. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a fork member, and wherein the transmission mechanism comprises a terminal screw for threadedly engaging and rotating the fork member. 
     
     
       3. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a display drum disposed on and outside the lower cup. 
     
     
       4. A crystal water ball device comprising: a combination of a globe and a housing;   a base frame having a plurality of protrusions, an annular step and a plurality of posts adjacent to the annular step;   a support plate interposed between the plurality of protrusions of the base frame and the combination of globe and housing, the support plate carrying the combination of globe and housing thereon;   a lower cup having an annular ring rotatably supported on the annular step;   means for securely retaining the support plate to the plurality of protrusions;   a plurality of set screws each corresponding to and engaging with one of the plurality of posts, each screw having a wide head extending over the annular ring; and   a transmission mechanism for driving the lower cup to rotate.   
     
     
       5. A crystal water ball device comprising: a combination of a globe and a housing;   a base frame having a plurality of protrusions;   a support plate interposed between the plurality of protrusions of the base frame and the combination of globe and housing, the support plate carrying the combination of globe and housing thereon;   a lower cup rotatably supported on the base frame and having an annular bearing surface formed thereon and a toothed portion, the annular bearing surface slidably contacting the base frame;   means for securely retaining the support plate to the plurality of protrusions;   means for preventing the lower cup from an upward movement relative to the base frame;   a fork member; and   a transmission mechanism for driving the lower cup to rotate, the transmission mechanism comprising:   a motor-driven gear train;   an output gear engaging with the toothed portion of the lower cup; and   a terminal screw driven by the motor-driven gear train and threadedly engaging and rotating the fork member.   
     
     
       6. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the gear train comprises a motor shaft extending through the support plate and the housing for preventing the combination of globe and housing from a lateral movement relative to the support plate.